Driven by Christmas shopping fever, shoppers rushed through the streets of Hamilton yesterday picking up everything from lavish spa treatments and expensive wines to last minute stocking stuffers.

Residents appear to be spending more than they have in the past and a quick walk through Reid St. yesterday afternoon revealed shopping can be hard work for those with a generous budget and a desire for the perfect gift.

Although several shoppers mentioned the spirit of Christmas ? the religious message of the season and time spent with family members and friends - the season is also enticing people to spend. took a walk through Hamilton to chat with shoppers, several who admitted to spending a little more than they had in past years. Others told us they were exercising wise spending habits and tried to keep their shopping to a minimum.

Several residents had done the bulk of their shopping overseas but were picking up the rest of their gifts locally. While US retailers are hoping for a last minute shopping frenzy on Christmas Eve, the huge boxes and bulging shopping bags carried around Hamilton should please Bermudian retailers.

@EDITRULE:

?My Christmas budget is $500 ? so far I?ve spent $400. I?m spending money on my family because they have always spent a lot on me. I like to spend money and enjoy shopping.?

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?Our family gives gifts between us. I?ve been doing my Christmas shopping and I?ve got a few extra gifts this year but I?m trying to keep it to a minimum with a budget of $30 for each gift. I don?t have that many more to get.??I did most of my shopping in the US for family members and friends. I?m shopping today for last minute stocking stuffers ? I?ve spent a few hundred dollars locally. I?m spending more in the past since I?m older. Overall, my budget is no more than $500. I like shopping but I generally stick to my budget.?

?I?m spending the usual amount on my friends and family. Overall my budget is $1,500 ? I try to stick to that budget but if I find a gift I like I may go over it a little. I?ve done all my shopping locally ? there is a good selection of toys but clothes-wise the selection is not good at all. The shops all appear to be carrying the same clothing lines.?

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?I?m not doing that much shopping this year, I have a small list. In my family we?re doing a Christmas gift exchange where we all get one gift for one person with a price limit of $50 per gift.?

?I?m buying more than in the past. We have $800 a piece to spend on gifts. We like to organise our shopping and get in and out. We send emails and allocate about 45 minutes to an hour to get everything we need on our list ? we?re very organised. We?re mainly getting gourmet food products, gift certificates ? like the Dine Around certificate. Locally if you?re looking for gourmet gifts we find there?s a good selection of wine and cigars.?***

?I did my shopping in the US for gifts for family and friends. I spent about $500 in total on myself and on gifts. Local selection compared to overseas is good but is more expensive.?